Document feeder and image scanning device

ABSTRACT

A document feeder includes an exterior cover that is openably and closably attached to the body of the document feeder such that it exposes a portion of a document transport path therein, and a movable unit including an exposed portion on the surface thereof that is exposed when the exterior cover is opened and an unexposed portion on the surface thereof that is not exposed when the exterior cover is opened, the movable unit attached to the body of the document feeder such that it is possible to expose the unexposed portion. The movable unit includes a handle that protrudes from the exposed portion and has an observation hole to allow the exposed portion to be observed from the front side of the document feeder.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-309816. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-309816 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a document feeder comprising an exterior cover that allows the transport path of a document to be exposed, and an image scanning device comprising the same.

2. Background Information

Some image scanning devices such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a scanner, and a multifunction device are provided with a document feeder. It is possible for the image scanning device to continuously scan a plurality of documents with the use of a document feeder automatically transporting the plurality of documents to an image scanning position one at a time.

For example, Japan Patent Application Publication JP-A-2004-099240 discloses a document feeder that comprises an openable and closable exterior cover for the purpose of easily coping with paper jams caused by one or more documents that have become jammed in a document transport path. In the document feeder disclosed in Japan Patent Application Publication JP-A-2004-099240, an upstream side of the document transport path is opened by opening the exterior cover. Furthermore, an intermediate frame is pivotably attached to this document feeder in order to open a downstream side of the document feeder as well.

However, this document feeder has a configuration in which the intermediate frame is disposed in the interior of the document feeder. Therefore, it is difficult to open the intermediate frame in order to expose the downstream side of the document feeder. In addition, it is difficult to observe the condition of the transport path and the interior of the document feeder when seen from directions other than a direction from above the document feeder.

In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved document feeder in which a movable unit arranged in the interior thereof can be easily operated from the front side thereof while visibility from the front side thereof is ensured, and an image scanning device comprising the same. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the above described object, a document feeder provided in the present invention comprises an exterior cover that is openably and closably attached to the body of the document feeder for exposing a portion of a document transport path, and a movable unit comprising an exposed member on the surface thereof that is exposed when the exterior cover is opened and an unexposed member on the surface thereof that is not exposed when the exterior cover is opened, the movable unit attached to the body of the document feeder such that it is possible to expose the unexposed portion. The movable unit comprises a handle that projects from the exposed portion and comprises an observation hole through which the exposed portion is visible from the front side of the document feeder. In this document feeder, the handle is arranged in the portion exposed when the exterior cover is opened. Therefore, it is possible to operate the movable unit by easily accessing the handle even from the front side of the document feeder. In addition, the observation hole for observing the exposed portion from the front side of the document feeder is formed in the handle. Therefore, user's view is not blocked by the handle.

In the document feeder, the exterior cover includes an exterior cover member that covers the upper surface of the body of the document feeder and a front cover member that covers the front side of the body of the document feeder. When the exterior cover is opened, the front cover member that was located before the user's eyes moves. Therefore, it will be possible for the user to observe the condition of the interior of the document feeder from the front side of the document feeder without changing his/her posture.

If the exterior cover comprises an exterior cover member and a front cover member, side plates for receiving the exterior cover member and the front cover member of the exterior cover, respectively, can be arranged on a front portion and a rear portion of the document feeder. A cut-out for receiving the front cover member is formed in the side plate arranged on the front portion of the document feeder.

Furthermore, a cover receiver formed in the side plate arranged on the front portion of the document feeder forms an approximately the same surface with a document transport surface. When a cover receiver formed in the side plate arranged on the front portion of the document feeder forms an approximately the same surface with the document transport surface, if the exterior cover is opened, it is possible for a user to observe the condition of the transport surface from the front side of the document feeder even if the observing point of the user is at a lower position.

In the document feeder, a handle can be arranged on an edge portion of the exposed portion located on the front portion side of the document feeder. With the handle arranged on the edge portion located on the front portion side of the document feeder on the user's side, it is possible for a user to easily operate the movable unit using the handle. In addition, the observation hole is formed in the handle so as to pass through the handle in the anteroposterior direction of the document feeder, for instance. Therefore, even if the user's observing point is positioned in an approximately the same height as that of the handle, it is possible to easily observe the condition of the interior of the document feeder from the front side of the document feeder.

The movable unit comprises an intermediate transport unit that comprises a document scanning unit in the unexposed portion and is attached to the body of the document feeder so that it can pivot around a shaft arranged on the downstream side in the document transport direction. When operating a portion of the intermediate transport unit on the upstream side in the document transport direction, it is possible to easily operate the intermediate transport unit using the handle even if there is an object in the vicinity of the intermediate transport unit that is an obstacle when operating the intermediate transport unit. Therefore, even if one or more document(s) is/are jammed in the vicinity of the document scanning unit, it is possible to easily remove the jammed paper.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides an image scanning device comprising the above described document feeder. Because of this, it is possible to enhance the convenience of the operation of the image scanning device.

According to the present invention, with the above described configuration, it is possible to easily operate the movable unit arranged in the interior of the document feeder while ensuring the visibility of the interior of the document feeder from the front side of the document feeder.

These and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the overall configuration of a copying machine;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of a document feeder;

FIG. 3 is a more detailed diagram showing the overall configuration of the document feeder;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a paper jam in the document feeder;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the document feeder with the exterior cover opened;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the document feeder with the exterior cover opened when seen from a lower observation point;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the document feeder with the exterior cover and an intermediate transport unit opened;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a document feeder comprising a reversal guide, with the exterior cover opened; and

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the document feeder with the exterior cover and the reversal guide opened.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the attached drawings to understand the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. In the present embodiment, the present invention is embodied as a digital copying machine including a document feeder.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the overall configuration of a copying machine 101. The copying machine 101 comprises an image scanning unit 102 and an image forming unit 103. The image scanning unit 102 scans an image of a document, and generates digital data thereof. The image scanning unit 102 comprises a document table 104, which is like a contact glass, on the upper surface of a chassis thereof. A document can be placed on the document table 104. A scanning optical system 105 is disposed below the document table 104. The scanning optical system 105 comprises a first carriage 106, a second carriage 107, and a focusing lens 108. A linear light source 109 and a mirror 110 are arranged in the first carriage 106. On the other hand, mirrors 111 and 112 are arranged in the second carriage 107. The light source 109 illuminates a document. The mirrors 110, 111, and 112 guide the reflection from the document to the focusing lens 108, and the focusing lens 108 focuses the light of the reflection onto a receptor surface of a line image sensor 113. In the scanning optical system 105, the first carriage 106 and the second carriage 107 are disposed so that they can reciprocate in a sub-scanning direction 114. It is possible for the line image sensor 113 to scan an image of the document placed on the document table 104 by means of the movement of the first and second carriages 106 and 107 in the sub-scanning direction. The line image sensor 113 generates document image data based on the light falling onto the receptor surface.

The image forming unit 103 prints out the image data obtained by the image scanning unit 102 and the image data received from other equipments through a network on one or more sheets of paper or other recording media. A photosensitive drum 115 is disposed in the image forming unit 103. The photosensitive drum 115 rotates at a constant speed in a direction indicated by arrow 116. An electrostatic charging unit 117, an exposing unit 118, a developing unit 119, a transfer unit 120, and the like are arranged sequentially around the photosensitive drum 115 from the upstream side of the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum 115.

The electrostatic charging unit 117 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 115. The exposing unit 118 exposes the uniformly and electrostatically charged surface of the photosensitive drum 115 to light in accordance with the image data for each color, and thus an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 115. The developing unit 119 attaches toner of each color to the electrostatic latent image, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 115. The transfer unit 120 transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 115 onto a sheet of paper.

The image forming unit 103 feeds a sheet of paper to a transfer portion located between the photosensitive drum 115 and the transfer unit 120 from a manual paper feeding tray 121, paper supply cassettes 122 and 123, and the like. Various sizes of paper can be put on the manual paper feeding tray 121 and also can be accommodated in the paper supply cassettes 122 and 123. The image forming unit 103 selects a sheet of paper based on the automatically detected document size, and draws the selected type of paper from the manual paper feeding tray 121, the paper supply cassette 122, or the paper supply cassette 123 through one or more feeding roller(s) 124. The drawn paper is sent to the transfer portion through one or more transport roller(s) 125 and resist roller(s) 126. The paper on which the toner image is transferred is transported to a fixing unit 127. The fixing unit 127 comprises a fixing roller 128 and a pressure roller 129, and fixes the toner image onto the paper by means of heat and pressure. The image forming unit 103 discharges the paper that passed through the fixing unit 127 to a discharge tray 130 or a discharge tray 131. The switching claw 132 controls the place to which the paper is discharged, that is, either the discharge tray 130 or the discharge tray 131. One or more discharge roller(s) 133 or discharge roller(s) 134 will discharge the paper onto one of the discharge trays.

In the copying machine 101 with this configuration, a document feeder 135 is openably and closably attached to the upper side of the image scanning unit 102. The document feeder 135 comprises a document tray 136, a transport path 137, and a discharge tray 138. A user will place a document on the document table 104 or place one or more document(s) in the document feeder 135. The document feeder 135 sends the one or more document(s) set on the document tray 136 to the transport path 137 one at a time. An image scanning position 139 is positioned on the transport path 137. A scanning glass 140 that is disposed to correspond to the image scanning position 139 is also arranged on the upper surface of the chassis of the image scanning unit 102. When the image scanning unit 102 scans the image of the document set in the document feeder 135, it temporarily holds the first carriage 106 and the second carriage 107 in place so that they are aligned with the image scanning position 139. When the document passes through the image scanning position 139, the document is illuminated through the scanning glass 140, and the image of the document is scanned. The document passed through the image scanning position 139 will be discharged onto the discharge tray 138.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of the document feeder 135. In this document feeder 135, an elevating plate 203 including document cursor 202 is attached to a portion of the document tray 136 on the downstream side in a document transport direction 201 such that the elevating plate 203 can move up and down. The document cursor 202 is disposed so that it can reciprocate in a document width direction 204. It is possible to align the center of the document in the width direction with the machine by adjusting the position of the document placed on the document tray 136 in the width direction using the document cursor 202. The elevating plate 203 and the document tray 136 form a surface on which one or more document(s) is/are placed (hereinafter referred to as a document-set surface), and pushes up the end portion of the one or more document(s) in order to send the bundle of documents set on the document-set surface to the transport path one at a time.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section diagram for providing additional details about the overall configuration of the document feeder 135. The document feeder 135 comprises one or more pickup roller(s) 301, a feeding belt 302, and one or more separation roller(s) 303, all of which are used for separating the bundle of documents placed on the document tray 136 from each other. When the elevating plate 203 is moved up, the end portion of a document that is placed on the top of the bundle of documents is pressed against the one or more pickup roller(s) 301. In this state, the document is drawn from the bundle of documents by driving the one or more pickup roller(s) 301. Even if two or more documents are drawn from the bundle of documents, the feeding belt 302 and the one or more separation roller(s) 303 separate the first document from the other drawn document(s), and then transport it to the downstream side of the transport path 137. The one or more resist roller(s) 304 and transport roller(s) 305 are disposed on the downstream side. The timing of the transport of the document to the image scanning position 139 is adjusted by the one or more resist roller(s) 304, and the one or more transport roller(s) 305 transport(s) the document to the image scanning position 139. The image on one side of the document is scanned in the image scanning position 139. In the document feeder 135, a document scanning unit 306 in which a contact-type optical system is employed is disposed downstream of the image scanning position 139. When images on both sides of the document are to be scanned, the image on the other side is scanned by the document scanning unit 306. The document passed through the image scanning unit 306 will be transported to one or more discharge roller(s) 308 through one or more intermediate transport roller(s) 307, and then discharged to the discharge tray 138 through the one or more discharge roller(s) 308.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a paper jam in the document feeder 135. As shown in FIG. 4, a document 401 that is long in the document transport direction is set on the document tray 136 of the document feeder 135, and the end portion of the document 401 is jammed in the interior of the document feeder 135. The document feeder 135 is provided with an openable and closable exterior cover 402 for the purpose of resolving a paper jam like this. The exterior cover 402 is supported by a shaft disposed on a downstream edge 403 of the document feeder body on the downstream side in the document transport direction 201, in a way that the exterior cover 402 is able to pivot around the shaft. The exterior cover 402 includes a top cover member 404 that covers the upper surface of the document feeder 135 and a front cover member 405. A side plate 406 on the rear portion of the document feeder 135 receives the top cover member 404, and a side plate 407 on the front portion of the document feeder 135 receives the front cover member 405. When the exterior cover 402 is opened, the top cover member 404 and the side plate 406 are separated by a division line 408, and the front cover member 405 and the side plate 407 are separated by a division line 409. The exterior cover 402 is opened by using a switch 410 arranged on the top cover member 404. When the exterior cover 402 is closed, it is engaged with the document feeder body. The exterior cover 402 is disengaged from the document feeder body by operating the switch 410, and thus the exterior cover 402 can be opened.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the document feeder 135 with the exterior cover 402 opened. In the document feeder 135, the upstream side of the transport path 137 is exposed when the exterior cover 402 is opened. If a paper jam has occurred in this portion, it is possible to easily remove the jammed paper from this portion by opening the exterior cover 402.

The upper surface of the transport path 137 exposed when the exterior cover 402 is opened is comprised of an inner surface plate 501 of the exterior cover 402. A pickup roller 301 and a feeding belt 302 are arranged in the inner surface plate 501. Furthermore, resist rollers 304, each of which comprises one of a pair of resist rollers 304, and transport rollers 305, each of which comprises one of a pair of transport rollers 305, are arranged therein. L-shaped interlocking pieces 503 are attached to each of inner surfaces 502 of the exterior cover 402. The pivotable interlocking pieces 503 are elastically urged to the inner surfaces 502, and contact interlocking pieces 504 arranged in the document feeder body, respectively, immediately before the exterior cover 402 is closed. When the exterior cover 402 is closed by resisting the urging force, a bent portion of the interlocking piece 503 engages with the bar-shaped interlocking piece 504, and thus the exterior cover 402 is engaged with the document feeder body.

The lower surface of the transport path 137 exposed when the exterior cover 402 is opened is formed by an upper surface (exposed portion) of an intermediate transport unit 505. The resist rollers 304, each of which is the other of a pair of resist rollers 304, the transport roller 305, each of which is the other of a pair of transport rollers 305, and the one or more division roller(s) 303 are arranged on the upper surface of the intermediate transport unit 505.

The intermediate transport unit 505 is attached to the document feeder body so that it can pivot around a shaft 309 arranged on the downstream side of the document transport direction 201. The rest of the transport path 137 can be exposed by opening the intermediate transport unit 505. The document scanning unit and one or more intermediate transport roller(s) are also arranged on the surface (unexposed portion) on the opposite side of the intermediate transport unit 505. Therefore, that portion will not be exposed only by opening the exterior cover 402. Therefore, when a paper jam occurs on the downstream side in the transport path 137, the intermediate transport unit 505 is opened, and thus the portion is exposed.

In the document feeder 135 in accordance with the present embodiment, a handle 506 for easily operating the intermediate transport unit 505 is arranged on the upper surface of the intermediate transport unit 505 to project outward therefrom. In this document feeder 135, the handle is an edge portion of the upper surface of the intermediate transport unit 505 that is located on the front portion side of the document feeder 135 and exposed when the exterior cover 402 is opened. Therefore, it is especially easy to operate the intermediate transport unit 505 from the front side of the document feeder.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the document feeder 135 with the exterior cover 402 opened when seen from a lower observation point. As described above, in the document feeder 135, the exterior cover 402 comprises the front cover member 405. A cut-out 602 corresponding to the front cover member 405 is formed in a cover receiver 601 of the upper surface of the side plate 407. Because of this, when the exterior cover 402 is opened, the upper surface of the intermediate transport unit 505 can be observed from the front portion of the document feeder 135 even when seen from a position that is almost the same height as that of the document feeder 135. In particular, in this document feeder 135, the cover receiver 601 of the side plate 407 of the front portion of the document feeder 135 is formed to be approximately the same as the transport surface of the document. Therefore, blind spots are not produced by the side plate 407. Thus, it is possible to observe approximately the entire upper surface of the intermediate transport unit 505 from the front portion of the document feeder 135. In this document feeder 135, a cover receiver 603 of the upper surface of the side plate 406 of the rear portion of the document feeder 135 is not formed to be approximately the same as the transport surface of the document and no cut-out is formed therein, because the visibility of the other elements from the front side of the document feeder 135 will not be inhibited thereby. In addition, an observation hole 604 is formed in the handle 506 arranged on the edge portion of the intermediate transport unit 505 in the front portion of the document feeder 135. Here, the observation hole 604 passes through the handle 506 in the anteroposterior direction of the document feeder 135. Because of this, visibility is not impaired even if the handle 506 exists. A user opens the intermediate transport unit 505 by holding the handle 506 from the front portion of the document feeder 135 if necessary.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the document feeder 135 with the exterior cover 402 and the intermediate transport unit 505 opened. If the intermediate transport unit 505 is opened after the exterior cover 402 is opened, the intermediate transport unit 505 stands approximately upright. In this state, a portion 701 located on the lower side of the intermediate transport unit 505 is exposed. Therefore, even if a paper jam occurs in the portion 701, it is possible to easily remove the jammed document. In addition, when cleaning units arranged in the portion 701 (e.g., a document scanning unit), it is possible to easily operate the intermediate transport unit 505 by using the handle 506. If the handle 506 is used, it will not be necessary to operate the intermediate transport unit 505 by placing one's hand on a portion of the intermediate transport unit 505 on the upstream side in the document transport direction 201, for instance. Even if there is an object in the vicinity thereof that hinders the operation of the intermediate transport unit 505, it is possible to easily open and close the intermediate transport unit 505 by using the handle 506.

As described above, in the document feeder arranged in the copying machine in accordance with the present embodiment, the handle is arranged on the upper surface of the intermediate transport unit to project outward therefrom, and the observation hole is formed in the handle. Therefore, it is possible to easily operate the intermediate transport unit arranged in the interior of the document feeder from the front side of the document feeder while ensuring visibility from the front side of the document feeder. Therefore, even if a user's observation point is positioned at a lower point (e.g., the observation point of a person in a wheelchair), it is possible to easily observe the condition of the document feeder and maintain the document feeder.

Note that the above described embodiment does not limit the technical scope of the present invention, and a variety of changes and modifications, other than the above described details, can be performed within the scope of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a document feeder 801 comprising a reversal guide 803 with the exterior cover 802 opened. The present invention can also be applied to a document feeder comprising a movable unit such as a reversal guide other than an intermediate transport unit. In the document feeder 801, the upper surface of the reversal guide 803 is exposed when the exterior cover 802 is opened. The upper surface of the reversal guide 803 is used as a transport path for transporting one or more document(s) set on a document tray 804 one at a time. The lower surface of the reversal guide 803 is used for reversing the transport direction of the document. A document passes through an image scanning position, and then the transport direction of the document is reversed. Then, the document is sent to the image scanning position again, and thus the images on both sides of the document are scanned. The lower surface of the reversal guide 803 forms a transport path for this purpose. A handle 805 is arranged on the reversal guide 803 to project outward therefrom. The reversal guide 803 is openably and closably attached to the document feeder 801, and the reversal guide 803 can be easily opened and closed using the handle 805.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the document feeder 801 with the exterior cover 802 and the reverse guide 803 opened. If the reversal guide 803 is opened after the exterior cover 802 is opened in the document feeder 801, the reversal guide 803 stands approximately upright. In this state, a transport path 901 is exposed that is located below the reversal guide 803 and used as a path to reverse the transport direction of a document. Therefore, even if a paper jam has occurred when the transport direction is reversed, it is possible to easily remove the jammed document using the handle 805.

In addition, in the above described embodiment, the cover receiver of the side plate in the front portion of the document feeder is formed to be approximately the same as the transport surface of the document. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the height of the cover receiver and that of the transport surface may be formed to be different from each other as long as the side plate of the front portion of the document feeder will not be an obstacle, or as long as a blind spot produced by the side plate will not be a problem.

In addition, in the above described embodiment, the cut-out that has a length approximately the same as that of the intermediate transport unit in the document transport direction is formed in the side plate of the front portion of the document feeder. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. However, a cut-out having a width that is shorter than the length of the movable unit in the document transport direction may be disposed in the side plate of the front portion of the document feeder.

Furthermore, a plurality of handles may be arranged on the surface of the movable unit to project outward therefrom. For example, handles may be arranged on edge portions of the movable unit on the front and rear portion sides of the document feeder, respectively, which will not hinder the transportation of the document. Here, the handle disposed on the edge portion on the rear portion side of the document feeder does not impair visibility from the front side of the document feeder. Therefore, it is not necessary for the handle to include an observation hole. In addition, the handle arranged on the edge portion in the front portion side of the document feeder may be formed to have a shape and a size, both of which are different from those of the handle arranged on the edge portion in the rear portion side of the document feeder.

In the above described embodiment, the intermediate transport unit is pivotably attached to the document feeder. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the movable unit may be detachable from the document feeder. In this case, a portion that is unexposed when the exterior cover is opened can be exposed by detaching the movable unit from the document feeder.

In the above described embodiment, the present invention is embodied as a digital copying machine comprising a document feeder. However, the present invention can be applied to other types of image scanning devices such as a facsimile machine, a scanner, and a multifunction device.

According to the document feeder and the image scanning device comprising the same in accordance with the present invention, it is possible to easily operate the movable unit arranged in the interior of the document feeder from the front side of the document feeder while visibility of the interior of the document feeder from the front side of the document feeder is ensured. Therefore, they are useful for a variety of machines such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a scanner, and a multifunction device.

General Interpretation

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “configured” as used herein to describe a component, section or part of a device includes hardware and/or software that is constructed and/or programmed to carry out the desired function. In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applied to words having similar meanings such as the terms, “including,” “having,” and their derivatives. Also, the term “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member,” or “element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts. Finally, terms of degree such as “substantially,” “about,” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. For example, these terms can be construed as including a deviation of at least ±5% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Thus, the scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. 

1. A document feeder, comprising: an exterior cover that is openably and closably attached to the body of the document feeder and configured to expose a portion of a document transport path therein when opened; and a movable unit comprising an exposed portion on the surface thereof that is exposed when the exterior cover is opened and an unexposed portion on the surface thereof that is not exposed when the exterior cover is opened, the movable unit attached to the body of the document feeder such that the unexposed portion can be exposed; wherein the movable unit comprises a handle that projects from the exposed portion, the handle having an observation hole formed therein through which the exposed portion can be observed from the front side of the document feeder.
 2. The document feeder according to claim 1, wherein the exterior cover comprises an exterior cover member that covers the upper surface of the body of the document feeder and a front cover member that covers the front surface of the body of the document feeder.
 3. The document feeder according to claim 2, further comprising side plates that are arranged on a front portion and a rear portion of the document feeder and which are configured to receive the exterior cover member and the front cover member of the exterior cover, respectively, wherein the side plate arranged on the front portion of the document feeder comprises a cut-out configured to receive the front cover member.
 4. The document feeder according to claim 3, wherein a cover receiver formed in the side plate arranged on the front portion of the document feeder forms approximately the same surface as a document transport surface.
 5. The document feeder according to claim 3, wherein the handle is arranged on an edge portion of the exposed portion located on the front portion side of the document feeder.
 6. The document feeder according to claim 5, wherein the observation hole is configured to pass through the handle in the anteroposterior direction of the document feeder.
 7. The document feeder according to claim 1, wherein the movable unit comprises an intermediate transport unit comprising a document scanning unit in the unexposed portion, and the movable unit is attached to the body of the document feeder so as to be pivotable around a shaft arranged on the downstream side in the document transport direction.
 8. An image scanning device, comprising: a document feeder that comprises an exterior cover that is openably and closably attached to the body of the document feeder and configured to expose a portion of a document transport path therein when opened; and a movable unit comprising an exposed portion on the surface thereof that is exposed when the exterior cover is opened, an unexposed portion on the surface thereof that is not exposed when the exterior cover is opened, and a handle that projects from the exposed portion having an observation hole through which the exposed portion can be observed from the front side of the document feeder, the movable unit attached to the body of the document feeder such that the unexposed portion can be exposed; and an image scanning unit configured to scan an image on a document fed by the document feeder. 